AD/TB20/6 - Autopilot Pitch Servo Cable Guards

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which aims to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One such directive, AD/TB20/6, addresses a critical issue identified in the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to rectify an installation problem that can lead to jamming of the primary pitch control, a condition that has already manifested in service. The directive applies to all model TB20 aircraft equipped with a KAP 150/KFC 150 autopilot, as per STC SA 1785CE-D, and mandates compliance within 10 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date of 16 January 1986. This legislative instrument, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is intended to align with the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 85-25-02, ensuring consistent safety standards across international borders. The policy objective is to prevent potential accidents and ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations by addressing specific mechanical issues identified in the aircraft design.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) series aeroplanes equipped with a KAP 150/KFC 150 autopilot, up to Serial Technical Certificate SA 1785CE-D. This regulation mandates compliance with King SB KS 177/178-3, which is referenced by FAA AD 85-25-02, to ensure that the autopilot pitch servo cable guards are installed and functional. Compliance must be achieved within 10 hours of time in service following the issue date of 16 January 1986. The regulation is intended to address an installation issue that could lead to jamming of the primary pitch control, a problem that has been reported in operational scenarios. This regulation is applicable under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia's jurisdictional reach.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, mandate specific airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/TB20/6 focuses on the installation of autopilot pitch servo cable guards to prevent jamming of primary pitch control, a known issue that has occurred in service (section 39-105). The requirement is that all model TB20 aeroplanes equipped with KAP 150/KFC 150 autopilots, as per STC SA 1785CE-D, must comply with King SB KS 177/178-3 (section 39-105(1)). This directive is referenced by the FAA AD 85-25-02, indicating a collaborative international approach to aviation safety. Operators and owners of affected aircraft are obligated to ensure that the autopilot pitch servo cable guards are installed within 10 hours of time in service after 16 January 1986 (section 39-105(2)). The directive aims to mitigate the risk of primary pitch control jamming, which has already manifested in operational scenarios. Failure to adhere to this directive can result in significant safety hazards, potentially leading to compromised flight control and increased risk of accidents. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/TB20/6 may result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against non-compliant aircraft operators, including the issuance of fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties (section 39-105(3)). The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative instrument, but they are aligned with the broader regulatory framework under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which can include substantial monetary fines and potential imprisonment for serious breaches. The penalties for breaching these regulations are intended to ensure high standards of aviation safety and compliance. Operators are encouraged to take proactive steps to ensure their aircraft meet the specified airworthiness directives to avoid these severe consequences. The regulatory intent is clear: maintaining the safety and reliability of aircraft operations is paramount, and compliance with airworthiness directives is a critical aspect of achieving this goal.